How To Microwave Bacon (Crispy & Easy!)

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Let me show you how to cook bacon in the microwave so that it gets nice and crispy! Oven baked bacon is great, but if you’re short on time, you’ve got to give microwave bacon a try. I promise, it really works!

One of the keys to the best microwave bacon recipe is using high-quality bacon, which is why we’re using my favorite, Garrett Valley Farms Sugar Free Dry Rubbed Bacon. Incredible smoky flavor, and no sugar! It’s my favorite.

Bacon on a plate with Garrett Valley Farms package

Get Garrett Valley Farms Bacon For This Recipe Here

Can You Cook Bacon In The Microwave?

Yes, you can cook bacon in the microwave. I know it sounds like it couldn’t possibly get nice and crispy, but it does.

Why You’ll Love This Microwave Bacon Recipe

Gets super crispy
Takes just a few minutes
No special equipment
No pans to wash
Great for small batches

Microwave bacon on a plate from side view

How To Cook Bacon In The Microwave

This section shows the best way to make bacon in the microwave, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

Arrange. Line a large plate with 3 layers of paper towels. This is important for getting the bacon crispy! Place slices of bacon in a single layer, so they aren’t overlapping. Top the bacon with 3 more layers of paper towels.

Microwave. The cooking time will vary slightly, depending on how thick the slices are. See below for specific times.

Microwave Bacon Time Chart

How long to microwave bacon? The time will vary depending on your microwave power and the thickness of your bacon, but below is an approximate time chart for a 1000W microwave.

Bacon Thickness	Time Per Slice	Minutes For 6 Slices
Average	60 seconds	5-6 minutes
Thin	40 seconds	3-5 minutes
Thick Cut	80 seconds	7-9 minutes

Tips For The Best Microwave Bacon

Use uniform bacon slices. This ensures they cook at the same rate.
Rotate if necessary. If your microwave doesn’t have a turntable, rotate the plate a few times during the cooking process.
Check the bacon in the microwave occasionally. Start checking on your bacon about 1 minute before the estimated time, then add more time in 30-60 second increments until it’s done to your liking.
Let the bacon rest. Like most methods, microwaved bacon will crisp up more as it cools from hot to warm. Uncover and let it rest on the plate for a couple of minutes after it’s done, to crisp up more.
You can microwave bacon in layers to make more. If you want to microwave more than 6 slices of bacon, you can create additional layers. Simply arrange more slices of bacon over the top layer of paper towels, then top with more paper towels. Just make sure you have 3 layers of paper towels on the top and bottom, and between the layers of bacon.

TIP: It’s best to cook a MAXIMUM of 3 layers of bacon in the microwave. More than that, and it will start to cook unevenly. Also keep in mind that you will need to increase the cook time as you add more layers.

FAQs About Microwaving Bacon

Have more questions? Here’s everything you need to know! Ask in the comments below if you have another question I didn’t answer.

Will I get crispy bacon in the microwave?

Yes, you can get crispy bacon in the microwave. Follow the tips above to ensure they end up crispy instead of soggy.

Can you microwave frozen bacon?

Microwaving frozen bacon is not recommended as it won’t cook evenly.

Can you defrost bacon in the microwave?

Yes, you can remove the frozen bacon from the package and thaw in the microwave first on the defrost setting, and then cook it. Don’t try to cook it right from frozen.

Can you microwave turkey bacon?

Yes, you can microwave turkey bacon the same way. The cooking time might be slightly less as it’s leaner, so check it frequently.

Can you reheat bacon in the microwave?

Yes, simply reheat the bacon between a few layers of paper towels to get it crispy again.

You can cook crispy bacon like this in the microwave

Ways To Use Bacon

Besides the obvious use — eating! — here some other ways to enjoy bacon:

Breakfast – Enjoy it with eggs or pancakes.
Appetizers – Add it to appetizer recipes like deviled eggs with bacon, bacon cream cheese jalapeno poppers, and Caprese salad skewers.
Entrees – Make main recipes like bacon cheeseburger soup, bacon ranch chicken, and pizza bowls.
Sides – Try Southern fried cabbage, kale and brussels sprouts salad, and cabbage steaks.

Easy Microwave Bacon Recipe

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Ingredients

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6 slices Garrett Valley Farms Sugar Free Dry Rubbed Bacon ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

Line a large plate (at least the same diameter as the bacon length) with 3 layers of paper towels.
Arrange the bacon in a single layer on the paper towels, without overlapping. Top the bacon with 3 more layers of paper towels.
Microwave on High for 5-6 minutes for average thickness bacon, 3-5 minutes for thinner pieces, or 7-9 minutes for thick cut, until done to your liking. (Start checking at the lower end of the time ranges or even a minute before.)

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Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 bacon slice

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories 60

Fat 5g

Protein 4g

Total Carbs 0.1g

Net Carbs 0g

Fiber 0.1g

Sugar 0.1g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keywords: how to cook bacon in the microwave, microwave bacon

Calories: 60 kcal

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18 Comments

Stephanie
0 March 1, 2023Reply

Okay, maybe I’m just stupid, but I’d like a little clarification concerning cooking extra layers at one time. How much more time do I need to add for each additional layer? Is it just multiples of the original cooking time for one layer (1 layer = 6 mins, 3 layers = 18 minutes)? Thanks for the help!
- Wholesome Yum D
  0 March 2, 2023Reply
  
  Hi Stephanie, You would not need to add that much time. Adding just an extra 2-3 minutes should be good.
GUNJAN C Dudani
0 July 3, 2021Reply

This is a very helpful post. It eases out the work and makes it quick. Great tips and tricks.
AISilva
0 July 2, 2021Reply

I’ve never tried microwaving bacon before, but I love this trick for when I’m in a rush. Also exciting that I can get it crispy as well. Thank you!
Marisa F. Stewart
0 July 2, 2021Reply

This is so handy I’ve already printed it out three times. I’ve needed this for a long time. I love crispy bacon and it’s always a hit and miss thing with me. I tried your directions for the 1 slice and the 6 and it came out perfectly. Thank you.
Cathleen
0 July 2, 2021Reply

Wait.. why did I not know you could do this??? Thanks so much for this! It was super helpful and answered all questions I had 🙂
Liz
0 July 2, 2021Reply

I had no idea how much easier this would be than making it on the stove!! Thank you!
Colleen
0 July 1, 2021Reply

I’ve never tried to microwave bacon because I was afraid it wouldn’t be crispy. Now that I know it works great! Thank you!
Anna
0 July 1, 2021Reply

This is such an incredible shortcut! I would never ever think of using microwave to cook bacon, but it works! It worked so well, I honestly think this is going to be my go-to from now on!
Sarah Baumeister
0 June 30, 2021Reply

Super helpful kitchen hack to have in my back pocket. Thanks for the details so I know just what to do.
Sharon
0 June 30, 2021Reply

I had no idea how easy making bacon in the microwave was. Great for quick BLTs or for breakfast.
Leslie
0 June 30, 2021Reply

I seriously, currently have scars on my arm from frying bacon! I didn’t realize I could microwave it! This is genius!
Kristyn
0 June 29, 2021Reply

We use the microwave all the time to cook bacon! It’s the best!! So much quicker & just as good!
Amanda Dixon
0 June 29, 2021Reply

Thanks for all the great tips! Microwaving gave the bacon great texture, and it was so quick and easy.
Natalie
0 June 29, 2021Reply

Best way to cook bacon!! Less mess & still so crispy & delicious!
Amy L Huntley
0 June 29, 2021Reply

So many great tips on how to cook bacon in the microwave! The bacon turned out just the way I like it!
Jere Cassidy
0 June 29, 2021Reply

Last time I microwaved bacon I burnt it beyond belief. Glad to have your instructions for the no-burn method.
Bernice
0 June 29, 2021Reply

Great!! This contained the mess to one little appliance.